You don’t always have time to doll yourself up, especially if you’re running late or if something comes up last-minute. In those cases, you’ll need to speed up your beauty regimen. It may sound tough to do, but with these 8 quick beauty tricks, you’ll be able to pull your look together in no time.

You don’t always have time to doll yourself up, especially if you’re running late or if something comes up last-minute. In those cases, you’ll need to speed up your beauty regimen. It may sound tough to do, but with these 8 quick beauty tricks, you’ll be able to pull your look together in no time.

When July 4th comes, most of us want to be outside in the warm weather soaking up the sun until it’s time to watch fireworks. All that heat and outdoor eating can lead to some risky food safety situations.

When July 4th comes, most of us want to be outside in the warm weather soaking up the sun until it’s time to watch fireworks. All that heat and outdoor eating can lead to some risky food safety situations.

You may have heard some people say that they have a “crick in their neck” when describing their neck pain or you maybe you’ve used this expression yourself. But have you ever wondered about what it really means? Is it even a real medical term?

You may have heard some people say that they have a “crick in their neck” when describing their neck pain or you maybe you’ve used this expression yourself. But have you ever wondered about what it really means? Is it even a real medical term?

There’s been a lot of discussion recently about whether we’d be healthier eating more back-to-very-basics food staples similar to that of our Paleolithic kin — hunter-gatherers who lived mainly on a diet of freshly killed meat, fish, fruits and freshly picked vegetables.

There’s been a lot of discussion recently about whether we’d be healthier eating more back-to-very-basics food staples similar to that of our Paleolithic kin — hunter-gatherers who lived mainly on a diet of freshly killed meat, fish, fruits and freshly picked vegetables.

Although there is no cure for allergies, there are some effective forms of treatment that can help manage and alleviate symptoms. It can be difficult to decipher which treatment options are truly effective and which ones are simply myths.

Although there is no cure for allergies, there are some effective forms of treatment that can help manage and alleviate symptoms. It can be difficult to decipher which treatment options are truly effective and which ones are simply myths.

Just because Santa has been known to spend Christmas noshing on sweets doesn't mean that you should do the same. Here are 10 naughty Christmas foods you should skip.

Just because Santa has been known to spend Christmas noshing on sweets doesn't mean that you should do the same. Here are 10 naughty Christmas foods you should skip.

By Tiffany Tseng

If someone told you a beauty treatment comes with the price tag of potentially endangering your life or physical harm, would you still do it? Here are some common beauty treatments that can be potentially dangerous to your health.

Brazilian Blowout

Smooth, shiny, manageable hair is probably every curly-haired girl's dream, and Brazilian blowouts promise to make that dream come true. However, some formulas used in salons consist of formaldehyde, a preservative used to treat deceased bodies (yes, you heard that right, dead bodies!). Before undergoing a Brazilian blowout, be sure to ask your salon about the ingredients used in the formula, as well as other alternatives that achieve similar results.

While tanning beds can give users a "golden bronze," it also gives its user a golden ticket to increased risks of skin cancer. Tanning beds actually concentrate the UV rays emitted to speed up the tanning process, making it even deadlier than tanning in the sun. The same rays can also cause damage to the eyes, accelerate premature aging, and dry out hair, making it brittle and fried.

Women opt for eyelash perms in hopes of having naturally curly lashes. However, these perms increase the risk of damaging the eyes. Imagine having a blistering hot curling iron next to your face; for eyelash perms, those hot rods are instead next to the eyelids and eyeballs. In addition, the chemicals involved in the perm may cause damage to eyelashes so that they can fall out permanently.

Manicures & Pedicures

Getting a manicure and pedicure can be relaxing, but they can also be a trap for fungal and staph infections. When the tools are not cleaned properly, bacteria can grow and be transferred from patron to patron. The luxurious foot and hand soaks is also a breeding ground for bacteria if not properly cleaned. Prior to your next mani-pedi session, be sure to research on the sterilizing methods of the salon to make sure the tools and tubs used are properly cleaned.

Bikini Waxing

Bikini waxing can pose risks of skin infections, burns, and irritating ingrown hairs if done by someone who is not a licensed professional. It is best to do a patch test prior to a full bikini wax, and question the salon's regulations on sanitation. For those who have sensitive skin, it may be better to stick to shaving rather than waxing.

Botox Injections

While Botox injections are very useful to treat frown lines and hyperactive sweat glands, we should remember that it is actually a derivative of toxins produced by the C. botulinum bacteria, which can cause muscle paralysis and nerve damage if administered incorrectly. Hence, be sure to seek a licensed dermatologist for these treatments.

Liposuction

It is important to address weight management issues before resorting to liposuction to lose excess body fat. Liposuction is considered a surgical procedure, and can come with many risks associated with anesthesia and healing. Besides, if the underlying weight management issue is not resolved prior to surgery, excess weight will most likely come back quicker than before.

Some may turn to liquid food detox regimens to help lose those last 5 stubborn pounds. However, be sure to consult your doctor before starting this beauty regimen or it may wreak havoc on your digestive system and cause nutrition deficiency. Certain liquid diets do not contain enough nutrients to sustain the body throughout the length of the diet, unless it has been approved by a licensed nutritionist or doctor. What usually happens is that the body "rebounds" after the diet ends -- it may demand even more food than usual, hence rending the original intention of the detox useless.

Hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone due to scarring or melasma is a common problem among women of Hispanic or Asian origins. Because of this, Skin lightening creams have become a popular alternative to expensive laser treatments. However, many creams of international origin are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and can have undesirable side effects. For example, a popular lightening cream from Germany had high levels of topical steroids that can lead to other skin breakouts, hypertension, and interference of blood glucose.

Implants

Cosmetic implants are more and more common nowadays, but they can still be dangerous if little time is invested in the preliminary research process. Certain body implants, such as breast or cheek implants, can be made from dangerous non-FDA approved silicone gels that can be hazardous to the body if the implants leak or rupture. Be sure to do research on the surgeon performing the implant surgery, along with adequate information on the type of implants available; sometimes, a more affordable price done at a non-licensed clinic can also mean compromised quality and increased risk of health dangers associated with implants.

Be sure to consult your doctor or a licensed health care professional before adopting any beauty treatments or enhancements!

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